Parks to be named after 26 victims of Sandy Hook shooting

There are expected to be 26 playgrounds to be built across Connecticut, New York and New Jersey that will be named and designed in honor of the victims of Sandy Hook.

The playgrounds will be built by New Jersey's Firefighters Union as part of the recovery after Adam Lanza shot and killed his mother at their home, then went to Sandy Hook Elementary School and killed 26 children and adults on Dec. 14.

New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association President Bill Lavin said the hope is for Sandy Hook to have the largest memorial including all who were lost here.

Lavin told Eyewitness News that he has spoken with 20 of 26 families and most were grateful, according to testimonies on the association's website.

A playground for teacher Vicki Soto will be built in her hometown of Stratford, and one for Noah Pozner will be constructed in the Rockaway section of Queens near his grandfather's home.

New Jersey's Firefighters Union said the project will cost about $2.1 million to build all the playgrounds, and so far $300,000 has been raised.

People in Newtown reacted to the announcement on the playgrounds.

"I think it's a great idea. wonderful," said Donna Vanwaalwick. "The whole country and the whole world has been very generous with Newtown."